Solland Solar announces consortium for the development of Emitter Wrap Through (EWT) Solar Cells

Led by Solland Solar, a Dutch consortium further comprising Sunergy, Levitech and ECN, started a joint three-year project to develop high-efficiency back-contact solar cells based on the so-called emitter wrap through (EWT) cell concept. The ‘Newton’ (New EWT Of the Netherlands) project is funded through the EOS-KTO program of the Ministry of Economic Affairs (Agentschap NL).

 

The EWT concept was pioneered by the Energy research Centre of the Netherlands (ECN) and is a natural evolution from the ‘Sunweb’ metal wrap through (MWT) cell that is currently marketed by Solland. The role of Sunergy in the project is to provide directly cast (so-called ibbon-rowth-on-ubstrates) crystalline silicon substrates. Such substrates are expected to be of significantly lower cost than traditional wafers made by slicing from an ingot. Levitech is in the process of completing the development of a high-throughput (2400 wafers/hr) system for the deposition of Al2O3 films. The deposition technology is based on Atomic Layer Deposition (ALD) and will be used to provide efficient passivation of the rear side of the cells. The overall objective is to realize cells with an efficiency of 20%.

Dr. Martin Fleuster, Director R&D of Solland stated, ‘As the key technology contributed by each of the individual partners is strong and complementary, the consortium is in a very good position to meet the objectives of the project. Through this collaboration, Solland will be able to defend and improve its leading position in the market of high-efficiency cells’. Dr. Fleuster continued by saying: ‘The objectives of this project are consistent with the most recent technology roadmap of the German solar cell manufacturers to reach the parallel targets of both increasing efficiency and strongly reducing wafer thickness. This roadmap requires a strong improvement in the quality of surface passivation. The roadmap also predicts that by 2020 more than half of the cSi cells will have rear contacts only’.   

For more information: 
Press contact Solland Solar:
Wendy Kleijnen | Marketing & Communication | +31-(0)646324304 | wkleijnen@sollandsolar.com

Press contact ECN:
Florentine de Maar, Press officer ECN
Phone: +31.224.564050, E-mail: demaar@remove-this-part-ecn.nl

About Solland Solar
Solland Solar is the leading Dutch-German solar technology company developing and producing solar cells and modules. With its patented Sunweb® concept Solland is leading the solar industry and paving the way towards grid parity. Solland Solar is a 100% subsidiary of DELTA, the Dutch multi-utility company. For more information about Sunweb® and Solland Solar please visit www.sollandsolar.com

About Sunergy
Sunergy Investco B.V. invests in the renewable energy sector and is based in the Netherlands. The company operates as a subsidiary of DELTA N V.

About Levitech
Levitech is a new company that was founded in October 2009 as a spin-off of ASM International. The company is based in Almere, in The Netherlands. It currently focuses on two Product Lines, the Levitor RTP system featuring very fast conductive heating of levitated semiconductor wafers, and Levitrack, a high throughput system for the deposition of ALD Al2O3 films for passivation of the front or rear side of solar cells. See also www.levitech.nl

About ECN
The Energy research Centre of the Netherlands develops high-quality knowledge and technology for the transition to sustainable energy management. ECN introduces this knowledge and technology to the market. ECN's focus is on energy conservation, sustainable energy and an efficient and clean use of fossil fuels. www.ecn.nl

 

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